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A Low Country dance

The Nagoya Navithasa Kindergarten in Ranpokunugama in Nittambuwa held it's annual pageant in Ranpokunugama. Children from the Manel class (Classes in this school are given the names of flowers) performed the Vadigapatuna, Low Country dance to an enthralling audience.

Back Cover:

Going for the kill

Our staff photographer, Nissanka Wijeratne captured this lone painted stork trekking its way in a lagoon in the Bundala National Park looking for food. The Bundala National Park is perhaps the most important wetland in Sri Lanka for resident and migratory birds.

It is famous for its aquatic birdlife which feed on the rich harvest provided by the numerous lagoons throughout the park. The park covers some 6,216 ha and during the winter months more than 160 species of birds can be found within its boundaries. The park is the last refuge of the Great Flamingo in this part of the Island and encountering one of the huge flocks of Flamingo's can be truly breathtaking.

Among some of the birding highlights are the rare Black-necked stork and the Great Thick-knee, and the more common Painted Storks, Pelicans, Egrets, Herons, Water Hens, Spoon Bills, Open Bills, Cormorants, Lapwings and Sand Pipers. Bundala national park is Sri Lanka's only declared Ramsar wetland and honoured internationally for its significant role for hosting over 20,000 shorebirds at any given time from August to April. Every species of water bird found in the country is said to visit this national park.

Migratory birds such as Asiatic Golden Plover, Avocet, Black Tail Godwit, Broad Billed Sand Piper, Brown Headed Gull, Caspian Plover, and many other varieties can be seen in the park.